Fortis
Tech have been making their name known this year with a line of copper/aluminum
hybrid coolers packing high-RPM fans. The idea behind the A102 is a simple time-tested one. The ultimate usefulness of the heatsink hangs in balance however, depending largely on the thermal interface material between the fins and copper base. Unlike the full copper base and fin designs, the aluminum fins and copper base of the A102 are not well suited to soldering or other similar joining techniques so a thermal
epoxy has apparently been utilized.

If this layer of thermal adhesive is too thick, heat will have a difficult time efficiently moving across from the copper plate to the fin assembly. On the other end of the spectrum, it too little material is
used, the fins will not properly bond or air gaps will interfere with cooling even more.

Like the model A92, the A102
is constructed from a 5mm thick copper base plate and 25 aluminum fins joined together to form an assembly. With a high-powered fan sitting on top, and a larger surface area below, the A102
should offer better performance characteristics than squatter A92 model. The
question is, does it?

The Achilles heel of the A102 is right at the joint
between the aluminum fins and the copper baseplate. As we have seen in the past,
a copper base plate does not always equal better cooling capabilities - but it
does go a long way. The trick is to take the heat from the copper
base and quickly distribute it to the fins for removal to the surrounding
environment.

If this critical heat transfer isn't happening, the
heatsink will be crippled. Seeing as the A102 uses a thermal adhesive to
bond the aluminum fins to the base plate this was a big concern.

The other
area we have begun to pay more attention to lately is the clip.
With about a hundred coolers tested so far, we have seen the good, the
bad and some of the oddest clipping mechanisms on the planet.

Thankfully, the hinged clip on the A102 is tool/tooless design. That means
you can use a screwdriver to get some extra leverage, or just clip it with
your fingers. Either way, the heatsink is easy to install, or remove.